Performing Arts

Watford Palace Theatre

Burrell Foley Fischer have undertaken a redevelopment of the Palace Theatre. The building is made up of two distinct parts, the Grade II listed Edwardian theatre and a 1980s extension built as part of an office redevelopment on the adjacent site. In the original theatre building, the stage house was completely rebuilt to provide a more generously proportioned partner to the 660-seat auditorium, which itself was remodelled to ‘close in’ the wide and Spartan side elevations and extended recess of the gallery. Additionally, the seating rakes and layout arrangements have been improved at stall, circle and gallery levels. The backstage areas have been completely rebuilt.

In the undistinguished 1980s extension, a vertical slot between the old and new parts of the venue defines the junction between foyer areas and the historic auditorium spanned by bridges linking the two halves. All front-of-house areas, access stairs and lift, and circulation and foyer spaces have been rearranged and remodelled, opening up the front elevation to present dramatic new views of the public areas from the street.